Clatteringford is a newly founded e-commerce business based on a traditional Irish product and launched by a member of one of Ireland's great industrial manufacturing families.

The Old Mill
The company takes its name from Clattering Ford, a stream that rises amidst the drumlins of Co Down and which once powered the world famous production of Irish linen in the historic landmark Andrews Mill in Comber, Co Down.

John Andrews established one of Europe's finest linen producing operations at Comber in 1863, and subsequent generations continued the tradition until the mill closed in 1997.
However the stream which once powered the mighty spinning mill and water-wheel and a stream of Irish linen exports overseas, has endured and still flows through Comber on its way to the sea. Johnny Andrews, the sixth generation descendent of the founder, has given the stream, the linen trade and Comber new life by going back to his roots and starting a new higher tech linen and natural fibres business under the Clatteringford brand name.
The new business is based upstream of the Mill, in the picturesque setting of the stable block of the family farm on the Old Ballygowan Road. Using the latest internet and production based technology, Johnny has cleverly re-positioned the new company from a manufacturing to a service based retailing operation using an approach that he describes as "contact-based marketing".

" Basically we are using contacts in the linen and natural fibres industries across the world that the family business built up over 150 years of operations. We source and sell the raw materials to people who make up the garments and products for us and we purchase back the finished products to retail."

He went on to say that " using our experience and reputation for producing quality linen products, we have diversified into using other natural fibres to build a comprehensive range of products that have real potential within our traditional markets and new export markets through retailing through the internet. "

Stylish garments in natural fibres
It might appear to have been a quantum leap to move from a production based linen-orientated Victorian business to a high tech internet based e-commerce operation but Johnny stresses that he has simply transposed the reputation, experience, contacts, industry knowledge and values of his family business into a 21st Century business with similar values of producing high quality products and providing first class customer service.

The Clatteringford website, www.clatteringford.com, contains a fascinating and classic collection of high quality natural fibre products including linens, cashmere, alpaca and woollens. All of these are sourced from top quality manufacturers throughout the world and can be despatched anywhere in the world on receipt of an email, telephone, fax or personal order.

The linen range includes crisp cool shirts and blouses; smart table, bed, and bathroom linen; handkerchiefs and classic christening robes. This is stylish but classic linen range is complemented by stylish garments that are both smart and fantastically comfortable to wear, such as those made out of soft cashmere and the silky, luxurious alpaca. More rugged knitwear such as genuine Guernsey and Shetland are also available.

The emphasis throughout the company's brochure and web site is on educating the consumer to the real advantages of natural fibre products. As Johnny says " There is a lot more interest now in natural fibres. People like their high quality look and their exclusiveness. More and more fashion designers are basing their ranges on linen, alpaca and cashmere.
More and more consumers are beginning to appreciate the lovely natural "feel" of all these fibres and once you have had linen you will never go back to cotton never mind synthetics."

" We realised Irish linen needed a more modern approach and that is why we are giving it a more contemporary image. In addition, by utilising manufacturers with up to date production techniques we have been able to design and retail easy care linen products that are more functional, accessible and affordable.
With linen shirts at £45, cahmere sweaters at £215 and a pure linen duvet cover at £148, we consider that we can provide convenience and value for money shopping for anyone with a taste for luxurious products".

The Irish table linen range includes a Titanic collection (reminding us of the Andrews family's link with that world famous ship). This collection includes specially designed damask table linen table cloths and napkins exclusively woven in Ireland to the same quality and design as those used in the dining rooms of the ship. This surely must be an interesting talking point for entertaining at home or the ultimate gift for foreign visitors.

The table linen range is complemented by a range of crystal glasses, cut in Northern Ireland, and designed to add style and elegance to a Clatteringford table setting.

Johnny also is encouraging customers to spend more on their bed linen - after all that is where we spend at least 30% of our life- and claims that people deserve to experience the natural cool crisp comfort of linen bed clothes at home and not just in luxury top class hotels.

The 19th Century Gate Lodge
 And for those visitors who want to experience a little more of the Clattering Ford experience, John Andrews & Co also offer holiday accommodation in either a beautifully restored secluded gate lodge with views towards Strangford Lough and sleeping for 4/5 or in a lovely period farm house (sleeping 5/7) complete with aga and log fire in a quiet setting on a working farm.

The two houses provide an excellent base for exploring the Kingdom of Down and with a round trip on the Strangford Ferry the visitor can visit such attractions as the historic Downpatrick, Portaferry, Mount Stewart and Castleward. There are excellent local restaurants including the Cooperage in Comber, Lisbarnett Inn, Daft Eddy's, Denvir's, the Dufferin Arms, the Smugglers Table and newly converted pub at Darragh Cross.
With the twin objectives of efficient farm working and conservation, the farm manager has created an idyllic setting for these countryside holidays where the visitor really can relax in the tranquil calm of the beautiful County Down countryside steeped in the history and tradition of flax and linen production.

Johnny is extremely proud to have revitalised the family business and taken into a new era of e-commerce based on the twin family values of good customer service and the production of a good quality naturally based product. He enthusiastically claims "the business has been handed down through the generations. I was born a " linen man" and I am proud to carry on the tradition of being a "good linen man."

To view the full range of Clatteringford products visit the company web site www.clatteringford.com
 
Or visit the Country Store at:

CLATTERINGFORD
THE STABLES,
51 OLD BALLYGOWAN ROAD,
COMBER,
NEWTOWNARDS,
CO.DOWN
N. IRELAND
BT23 5NP
Tel: +44 (0)28 9187 4545
Fax: +44 (0)28 9187 4307
Email: info@clatteringford.com
Website: www.clatteringford.com